Refrigerator fan motor

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator fan type motor being universally mountable and associable with a multiplicity of refrigerator models of various manufacturers which permits the use of one motor component through the use of specific motor design and construction in conjunction with mounting brackets, fixtures and the like.

United States Patent Johnsen July 17, 1973 [54] REFRIGERATOR FAN MOTOR3,434,723 3/1969 Janssen et a1 310/91 X 3,500,083 3/1970 Dochterman310/51 [751 Santa Mom, 3,465,182 9/1969 Church et al. 310 51 Callf-3,270,226 8 1966 McMillan 310 91 x 3,436,570 4/1969 Engels 310/91 X [73]Ass'gnee' Pmdms Santa n' 3,482,127 12/1969 Dochterman 310/91 x Filed?June 1971 Primary ExaminerJ. Franklin Foss 21 No: 157 41Attorney-Mahoney, Hornbaker & SCl'llCk [52] U.S. Cl. 248/14, 310/91 [57]ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. Gllb 17/00 A refrigerator yp motor beinguniversally mount [58] Field of Search 248/14, 15, 16; able and 8 316with a multiplicity of refrigerator 310/91, 51, 162, 164 models ofvarious manufacturers which permits the use of one motor componentthrough the use of specific [56] References Cited motor design andconstruction in conjunction with mounting brackets, fixtures and the3,043,970 7/1962 Halten et a1. .1 310/91 11 Claims, 11 Drawing FiguresPmm nm 1 7 mm 3' 7 Skim 1 [If 3 INVENTOR. ERIC C. JOHNSEN BY/WA HONEY,HORNBA KER AND SCH/CK ATTORNE Y8 Pmwmmwa 316,289 I SHEH 2 (IF 3INVLNTOR. ERIC C. JOHNSEN BY/WA HONE Y, HORNBA KER AND SCH/CK A T TORNEY5 PMEPHEB JUL 3 'F @355 3 v F46 289 355E? 3 BF 3 INVENTOR. ERIC C.JOHNSEN BYMAHONEY, HORNBAKER AND SCH/CK ATTORNEYS REFRIGERATOR FAN MOTORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Equipment manufacturers supplying the aftermarket as opposed to the original equipment manufacturer or O.E.M.market are faced with serious drawbacks in providing replacement partswhich are compatible with various manufacturers and the variety of linesof equipment of those manufacturers.

Many manufacturers have peculiar requirements and specifications which,while not presenting any great difficulty for the original supplier,present undue difficulties for the subsequent parts supplier because ofthe various peculiarities and specifications originally called for inthe original equipment. For example, in the replacement part market of arefrigerator fan type motor, most manufacturers require specificallyconfugured mounting brackets, adapters, mounting plates, retainingmembers and similar members, all differing from each other with respectto manufacturer and in many instances with respect to models within theline of any one manufacturer. Because the replacement part market is notextremely large, it is virtually impossible for a replacement partsmanufacturer to provide replacement parts that would have the exactcalled-for specifications as the original equipment.

The infeasibility for the most part is economic in that the replacementparts manufacturer is unable to justify the substantial investment intooling and in inventory of parts which relatively speaking, have smallvolume demand. Thus, it is important for the replacement partsmanufacturer to be able to provide a replacement part which has a highdegree of versatility compatible with the structure with which it isintended to be used, while still fulfilling the requirements that theoriginal equipment part calls for.

Thus, this invention is directed to an electric motor of the fan typewhich is universally mountable in conjunction with a multiplicity ofrefrigerators and which motors are intended to replace the originalequipment or part which requires replacement.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention toprovide a refrigerator fan type motor which is adaptable for universalmounting with a multiplicity of refrigerators.

It is still another important object of the invention to provide a motorof the refrigerator fan type wherein the configuration of the stator andthe rotor is such as to allow adaptation for association with aplurality of refrigerator housing and mounting brackets.

It is still a further and more important object of the invention toprovide a motor of the fan type which is highly versatile and flexiblewith respect to various refrigerator models and makes.

It is still another and further important object of the invention toprovide, as a replacement part, a refrigerator fan motor which is easilyadaptable for association with the refrigerator and compatible as wouldbe the original manufactured equipment.

It is still another and more specific object of the invention to providean easily mountable electric motor of the fan type which is intended toreplace original equipment manufacture of a plurality of refrigeratormanufacturers.

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from thehereinafter following commentary taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Basically, in an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to amotor of the refrigerator fan type having a stator of a plurality orrectangularly shaped plates wherein the end plates of the pluralitydefine a first and second plane and having an operatively associatedrotor with a shaft extending from one of said first and second planescomprising the combination of uni- .versal mounting means for mountingsaid motor in association with a refrigerator wherein a first pair ofthrough holes is provided through said plurality of plates along alateral edge thereof. A second pair of through holes is provided throughsaid plurality of plates along an opposite lateral edge; at least aselected bracket member is demountably received on at least one of saidend plates defining said first and second planes and retaining means aredisposed in at least one of said through holes of each of said first andsecond pair of through holes for retaining said at least a selectedbracket member in relatively rigid relationship with respect to saidmotor.

' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3a is a view of the various bracket members and components whichmay be used with the motor of this DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTSCONTEMPLATED Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator fan type motor 2 ofthis invention isshown as having a stator 4 made up of a plurality ofrectangularly-shaped plates with the end plate 6 defining one planarsurface and the end plane 8 defining an opoosite planar surface. Theplates making up the stator element 4 are rigidly held together by meansof rivets 10. 1

The plates are so shaped so as to form a passage within which the rotor12 may rotate.

Actually, the rotor comprises a modular assembly 14 with which the rotor12 and extenidng shaft 16 is associated as a unit. The module 14 has aplastic housing generally designated 18 and is provided with abracketlike configuration (partially shown) by which it is rigidlysecured in the motor assembly 2 and specifically onto end plate 8thereby forming what may be considered an off set extension of the planeformed by end plate 8.

The stator 4, rotor module 14, as well as coil 20 are mainlyconventional as thus far described except as modified for thisinvention. For example, in the practise of this invention, however, twopairs of through holes 22, 24, 26 and 28 are provided. Through holes 22and 24 are formed through the plates of stator 4 along a lateral edgethereof and are in vertical alignment with one another. Likewise,through holes 26 and 28 are provided on the opposite lateral edge ofstator 4 and also in vertical alignment with one another. It will benoted that through holes 22 and 26 are in horizontal alignment whilethrough holes 24 and 28 likewise are horizontally aligned.

Disposed in each of the through holes 22, 24, 26 and 28 are throughbolts 30 which perform the dual purpose of retaining modular assembly 14in securement to the motor assembly and provide the means wherebyselected brackets or mounting members may be secured on the surface ofthe end plate 6 making up stator 4 or in some instances on end plate 8.

It will be noted that the end plates 6 and 8 define first and secondplanar sufiaces and the through bolts extend outwardly along the samedirection as extending shaft 16 of rotor 12.

In the FIG. 1 embodiment, a pair of stand ofi brackets 32 and 34 arepositioned onto the exterior surface of plate 6 and held in rigidrelationship therewith by means of nuts 36 being threaded onto throughbolts 22, 24, 26 and 28. Stand off brackets 32 and 34 have a linearplatelike portion 38 and 40 respectively, with terminii having apertures42 positioned so as to be received by through bolts 22, 24, 26 and 28. Acentral projecting, cylindrical portion and 46 respectively, areprovided with tapped bores 48 and to receive an adapter plate formounting in conjunction with in this example, a center grommet stand off44 which is compatible with several refrigerator models as manufacturedby Admiral, General Electric, Hotpoint, Kelvinator and Norge.

The center grommet stand off member 44 is of triangular configurationtransversing the span between tapped projecting portions 45 and 46 ofstand off brackets 32 and 34. Member 44 consequently is provided withapertures 47 in the ends thereof and the central projection 49 withaperture 51 to allow passage of the shaft 16 therethrough. The member 44in this instance is fabricated of moulded plastic and is retained bymeans of screws 52 in rigid relationship onto brackets 32 and 34. Theprojection 49 provides retaining surfaces for rubber grommet 54 by whichmeans the assembled motor 2 may be mounted between depending and spacedmetal walls of a refrigerator fan motor housing or the like.

A similar support is provided on the back of motor 2 and involves theuse of identical bracket 44 which is secured to rotor modular l4 andmore specifically outwardly extending bosses 55 which are threaded toreceive screws 56 to securely fasten center grommet stand off member 44as illustrated. The grommet 54 performs the same function as earlierdescribed. The retaining screw 58 generally utilized to assist inholding the back cover plate 60 onto housing 18 is removed to allowclearance and flush engagement with cover plate 60. Thus, screw 58 isgenerally utilized in the motor 2 but only removed when, for example, arear center grommet stand ofi such as 44 is used as illustrated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be observed that the motor 2 isessentially of the same construction as that earlier described but inthis instance, the tapped stand off brackets 32 and 34 are used in andby themselves not requiring any additional mounting means or members.

As in the earlier case, the brackets 32 amd 34 are mounted on throughbolts 30 and securely fastened in place by retaining nuts 36. The tappedbores 48 and 50 will accommodate a front mounting securement to avariety of models of refrigerators manufactured by such manufacturers asAdmiral, Coldspot, Frigidaire, Hotpoint, Norge, Westinghouse andWhirlpool. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a fan hub adapter whichfrictionalIy engages the rotor shaft 16 and which is adapted to besecured to a fan member not shown.

FIG. 3a illustrates some of the mounting means that may be utilized inconjunction with the motor 2 and the bracket to the extreme leftdesignated 72 herein has already been described and is essentially thesame as either one of the brackets 32 or 34. However, by utilization oftapped stand offs such as 74, pin mmeber 76 or an elongated stand offmember 78, a variety of suitable retaining and mounting members may befabricated to meet a variety of needs. For example, the stand off 74 ismountable on a screw or nut of the motor 2 and likewise the stand off 78is flanged and accommodates the grommet 80 and each of the mmebers aloneor in combination will meet a variety of needs. The remaining bracketmember 82 is essentially the same as tapped stand off 72 with theexception that instead of a tapped stand off a pin stand off 84 isutilized.

FIG. 3b illustrates a specific stand off used in conjunction with aHotpoint refrigerator, the stand off 86 being configured for left handmounting while the stand off 88 is configured for right hand mounting.

FIG. 30 illustrates the center grommet stand off 90 which is essentiallythe same as the member 44 illustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 3d illustrates a rubber block mounting bracket for use inconjunction with a Westinghouse refrigerator and these members are shownin FIGS. 4 and 5 and will be detailed hereinafter.

FIG. 3e illustrates a Gibson refrigerator stand off and it will be notedthat this bracket 92 is again adapted to be mounted by means of throughbolts of the motor and provides a slip on or fastening configuration tocoact with the structure of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3} illustrates a front bearing support 94 which in conjunction withstand offs such as 72 may be used to'provide bearing support when andwhere needed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fan hub adapter 96 as previously described inconjunction with FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 a special tongue mounting means isillustrated for Westinghouse refrigerator application and specificallyfor mounting in a motor box or the like.

Herein motor 2 is to be mounted in a motor box 100 having walls whichdefine an open faced chamber within which the motor 2 is to be securedin operative relationship. The back wall of housing 100 is provided withaperture 102 which receives rear wall rubber mounting block 104 insecured and retained relationship therewith. The mounting block 104 isprovided with a receiving slot 106 for purposes which will be described.The front plate 108 of motor box 100 is likewise provided with anaperture 110 to receive front mounting block 112. Mounting block 1112similarly is of rubber and is provided with a receiving slot ll 14. Thefront plate 108 is provided with a shaft opening and appropriateprovisions are made so that plate 108 may be secured to housing 100 asshown in FIG. 5.

In this particular instance, in order to mount the motor 2 within thehousing 100 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5, it is necessary tosecure a first back tongue bracket 116 to rotor module 14. In thisinstance, the rear tongue bracket 116 has elongate section 118 with acentral depending horizontally extending tongue-like projection 120which as can be seen is adapted to be received within retaining orreceiving slot 106 of rear block 104. The ends of bracket 1 16 areapertured so that it may be secured to the rear bosses 55 of the rotormodule 14 by means of retaining screws 122.

The front mounting bracket 124 has an elongate middle spanning section126 being reversed L-shaped in configuration with two depending endportions 128 by which means the bracket 124 is secured to motor 2 as byutilization of through holes 24 and 28, securement being obtained bymeans of bolts 130.

Bracket 124 has a central notch 132 to provide clearance for the shaft16 of rotor 12 and positioned therebelow is a depending and horizontallyextending tongue portion 134 which is adapted to be received byretaining slot 114 of front mounting block 112 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 5.

For other mounting in motor boxes, as for example, in the Westinghouserefrigerator, the tongue brackets and specifically the front one is usedin conjunction with a stand off such as 72 illustrated in FIG. 3a. Ifsuch is the case, the bracket member 124 instead of being secured on theexterior surface of end plate 6 and retained by means of through holes24, 28 and through bolts 130, it is secured to the tapped extendingportions of the bracket 72. These modifications and versatile coactionand cooperation of the various bracket members and components thereofwill be obvious to those of skill in the art.

Thematerials of construction for the various mounting and securementmembers are preferably the nonconducting, high impact strength, easilymoulded plastics. For obvious reasons, because of the electricalcharacter of the installations, plastics are the preferred material butin some cases, it may be desirable that the brackets and componentsthereof be fabricated of metal to meet specific needs.

There has thus been described a refrigerator fan type motor and mountingmeans which makes for universal applicability and versatility. It is nowpossible with the herein disclosed invention to limit motor inventoriesand=to adapt motors to a variety of end uses depending upon the uniqueneeds of the refrigerators with which the motors are to be used.

Various modifications and adaptations will make themselves known tothose of skill in the art all of which will not detract from the spiritand scope of the herein disclosed invention, all of which modificationsare intended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a motor of the refrigerator fan-type having a stator of aplurality of rectangularly shaped plates, the end plates of saidplurality defining a first and a second plane and an operativelyassociated rotor modular assembly adjacent said first plane associatedwith a rotor and with a shaft extending fromsaid second plane, thecombination of: universal mounting means for mounting said motor inassociation with a refrigerator comprising a first pair of through holesthrough said plurality of plates along a lateral edge thereof; a secondpair of through holes through said plurality of plates along an oppositelateral edge; at least a selected bracket member demountably received onsaid second plane and removable retaining means disposed in and throughsaid through holes of each of said first and second pair of throughholes for retaining said at least a selected bracket member inrelatively rigid relationship with respect to said motor and forretaining said modular assembly in operative relationship with saidstator.

2. The motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of the throughholes of said first and second pairs of through holes are in verticalalignment with respect to one another.

3. The motor in accordance with claim 2 wherein the through holes ofsaid first pair of through holes are in horizontal alignment with thethrough holes of said second pair of through holes.

4. The motor in accordance with claim 3 wherein said retaining meanscomprises through bolts and associated nuts.

5. The motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said modular assembly isadapted to mount an additional selected bracket member to cooperate withthe other of said bracket member.

6. The motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least a selectedbracket member is adapted to be associated with a supporting bracket ofa refrigerator in secured relationship therewith.

7. The motor in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least a selectedbracket member comprises an elongate plate having a projecting stand offand two such brackets are mountable in side by side relationship withsaid extending shaft being intermediate said stand offs.

8. The motor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said stand offs havethreaded bores to receive a triangular grommet-carrying member insecured relationship which spans said stand offs, with the shaft of saidrotor extending through the spanning portion thereof.

9. The motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least a bracketmember comprises an elongate transverse bar having terminal dependingportions, said depending portions having apertures therethrough by whichsaid bracket is retained in a selected pair of horizontally alignedthrough holes, the intermediate portion of said bar having ahorizontally extending tab for insertion into a retaining blockassociated with a refrigerator motor fan housing.

10. The motor in accordance with claim 9 wherein an additional bracketmember is mounted on said modular assembly and comprises an elongateplate member having apertures in the ends thereof said plate memberspanning said modular assembly and being retained thereon by retainingscrews and an intermediate horizontal extending tab for retaining blockretention.

11. In a motor of the refrigerator fan-type having a stator of aplurality of rectangularly shaped plates, the end plates of saidplurality defining a first and a second plane, and an operativelyassociated rotor modular assembly mounted on one plane and a shaftextending from the other plane; the combination of: mounting means formounting said motor in association with a refrigerator comprising anelongated grommet-carrying member, a pair of stand-offs adapted to beremovably retained on the plane from which the shaft extends inpositions opposite each other and on different sides of said shaft, saidgrommet-carrying member being adapted to span and be removably retainedon said stand-offs with the shaft extending through the spanning portionof said member.

1. In a motor of the refrigerator fan-type having a stator of aplurality of rectangularly shaped plates, the end plates of saidplurality defining a first and a second plane and an operativelyassociated rotor modular assembly adjacent said first plane associatedwith a rotor and with a shaft extending from said second plane, thecombination of: universal mounting means for mounting said motor inassociation with a refrigerator comprising a first pair of through holesthrough said plurality of plates along a lateral edge thereof; a secondpair of through holes through said plurality of plates along an oppositelateral edge; at least a selected bracket member demountably received onsaid second plane and removable retaining means disposed in and throughsaid through holes of each of said first and second pair of throughholes for retaining said at least a selected bracket member inrelatively rigid relationship with respect to said motor and forretaining said modular assembly in operative relationship with saidstator.
 2. The motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of thethrough holes of said first and second pairs of through holes are invertical alignment with respect to one another.
 3. The motor inaccordance with claim 2 wherein the through holes of said first pair ofthrough holes are in horizontal alignment with the through holes of saidsecond pair of through holes.
 4. The motor in accordance with claim 3wherein said retaining means comprises through bolts and associatednuts.
 5. The motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said modularassembly is adapted to mount an additional selected bracket member tocooperate with the other of said bracket member.
 6. The motor inaccordance with claim 4 wherein said at least a selected bracket memberis adapted to be associated with a supporting bracket of a refrigeratorin secured relationship therewith.
 7. The motor in accordance with claim6 wherein said at least a selected bracket member comprises an elongateplate having a projecting stand off and two such brackets are mountablein side by side relationship with said extending shaft beingintermediate said stand offs.
 8. The motor in accordance with claim 7wherein said stand offs have threaded bores to receive a triangulargrommet-carrying member in secured relationship which spans said standoffs, with the shaft of said rotor extending through the spanningportion thereof.
 9. The motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said atleast a bracket member comprises an elongate transverse bar havingterminal depending portions, said depending portions having aperturestherethrough by which said bracket is retained in a selected pair ofhorizontally aligned through holes, the intermediate portion of said barhaving a horizontally extending tab for insertion into a retaining blockassociated with a refrigerator motor Fan housing.
 10. The motor inaccordance with claim 9 wherein an additional bracket member is mountedon said modular assembly and comprises an elongate plate member havingapertures in the ends thereof said plate member spanning said modularassembly and being retained thereon by retaining screws and anintermediate horizontal extending tab for retaining block retention. 11.In a motor of the refrigerator fan-type having a stator of a pluralityof rectangularly shaped plates, the end plates of said pluralitydefining a first and a second plane, and an operatively associated rotormodular assembly mounted on one plane and a shaft extending from theother plane; the combination of: mounting means for mounting said motorin association with a refrigerator comprising an elongatedgrommet-carrying member, a pair of stand-offs adapted to be removablyretained on the plane from which the shaft extends in positions oppositeeach other and on different sides of said shaft, said grommet-carryingmember being adapted to span and be removably retained on saidstand-offs with the shaft extending through the spanning portion of saidmember.